“Technology like Hyundai’s DI system is providing Hyundai owners with fuel efficiency rivaling that of hybrids, without the additional expense,” said Craig Fitzgerald, former president of NEMPA.  At this time, direct injection is available on seven Hyundai models and most recently, the system has allowed certain cars to catapult to stardom.  Before, the 2.0 liter Genesis Coupe was lacking a little something but with the adoption of GDI, the turbocharged base model is rather close to the performance of the top-dog 3.8.  With 429 horsepower on tap without any forced induction, the 5.0 liter V8 found under the hood of the Genesis Sedan R-Spec is truly a mechanical wonder and many thanks can be given to direct injection. 

“As a member of the MIT community that was involved in coordinating the selection process, I am very happy to see that Hyundai’s implementation of a fuel economy improving technology has earned them this year’s Yankee Technology Cup,” said Bryan Reimer, a Research Scientist in the MIT AgeLab and Associate Director of the New England University Transportation Center.

Source: Hyundai

Starting with May’s production, 100 percent of all U.S.-spec Hyundai models will have brake pedal throttle override capability.  The system paralyses the throttle in an emergency event so that acceleration doesn’t occur while the brake pedal is pressed.  The proposed mandate came to be sometime after Toyota’s fiasco with “throttle gate” a few years back.  Why Hyundai decided to go ahead and make the feature standard when it still doesn’t have to be has yet to be truly official.  The automaker does however recognize that their decision was made months, if not years, in advanced.  The reasoning might just be found within their loyal customers.  “Hyundai development teams have been less concerned about final government mandate timing, focusing instead on the immediate safety and assurance of their customers,” said Hyundai. 

Source: Hyundai

The third shift will get its start in September of this year.  Before that time, Hyundai will take in applications for various positions in early summer and begin training shortly there after.  Considering the Alabama-made Sonata represents 33 percent of Hyundai’s U.S. sales, the extra help makes perfect sense.  The arrival of the next line up of Elantras also warrants the added work force, especially so given that the compact car takes up about 31 percent of sales.  “The continued success of Hyundai’s Sonata and Elantra in North America is a direct reflection of the dedication to quality and craftsmanship by every HMMA team member.”

Source: Hyundai

“This vehicle and the others from Hyundai that we have named a ‘best bet’ are vehicles that any of our editors would drive,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com Editor in Chief.  In order to earn a “Best Bet” award, a vehicle must achieve average or better fuel economy for its segment, carry average or better reliability, earn average or greater crash test scores and most importantly, earn the approval from the hard-t0-please editors themselves.  With a new fluidic body, revised suspension, smarter pricing and more output, the 2012 Azera is ready to make itself known: something the previous generation had trouble doing.  The amount of stuff packed into the sedan is truly impressive and worthy enough to join the Elantra, Sonata, Genesis Sedan, Genesis Coupe and Tuscon on the Cars.com ”Best Bet” list.

Source: Hyundai

“The Azera serves notice to luxury brands everywhere that Hyundai aspires to be known for much more than great value,” said Tom Murphy, executive editor for WardsAuto World Magazine.  “The previous-generation Hyundai Azera was a decent car, but it lacked style.  The all-new Azera corrects that shortcoming.”  For two months, the editors at Wards spent time with 40 all-new or significantly redone vehicles to determine the 10 winners.  Not ones to play favorites to exotics, Wards issued zero price caps for the contestants, meaning the little Accent had a lot of pricy competition. 

“The Accent arrived with a $15,925 sticker, which we double-checked for a typo because this interior shows incredible attention to detail, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, swooping lines on the instrument panel and many of the Hyundai-family center-stack elements that have made interiors such as the Elantra, Veloster and Sonata so appealing,” said Murphy. 

Source: Hyundai

A key ingredient to the most recent accolade earned by the all-new, Korean compact is its fuel mileage.  One of the four Hyundai’s currently offered with 40 mpg, the car achieves its highway average without the help of an electric hybrid assist or separate “ECO” trim level.  All Elantras, from the base to the top-level Limited, have the ability to break into the 40 mpg club thanks to an aerodynamically smart design and efficient powertrain.  The 1.8 liter inline four cylinder is light weight, rev happy and produces very low emissions levels.  “The elusive 40 mpg mark is hit and miss for non-hybrid cars, but for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra it’s an easy target,” said kbb.com editors. “The Elantra obtains 40 highway mpg in all trim levels thanks to its fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine, all while looking good in its wavy sheet metal and offering value with its low entry price.”

Source: Hyundai

“I’m pleased to have Hyundai’s ongoing support for the 2012 season,” Millen said. “This begins the fourth year of our racing relationship with Hyundai, and we want to continue to build upon our success in both developing and racing Hyundai’s race-proven products.”  Drastically messaged from stock form, the Rhys Millen Racing Genesis Coupe was, at one point, a box-stock version of the refreshed car we drove in New Orleans.  The body has been widened while extra aero bits ensure downforce will always be handy.  To get things spinning, 600 plus horsepower from a RMR powertrain will be on tap.  It may be a bit extreme compared to the factory Coupe, but what Hyundai has created with the 2013 refresh could easily help any armature shape themselves into a pro.  When kitted out as an R-Spec model, adjustable camber plates, Brembo brakes and a rotation happy limited slip differential all come standard.

Source: Hyundai

To fix the issue with the cars that have yet to be delivered, Hyundai will replace center seat belts with different units that do not detach at the lower anchorage point.  However, a rather peculiar situation has presented itself with the approximate 13,095 Sonata Hybrids already in the public’s hands.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hyundai intends to file a petition to exempt the vehicles from the recall.  The automaker believes that issue is trivial, calling it “inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety” and thus, Hyundai shouldn’t be obligated an owner notification and remedy.  At this point, a recall of the public’s Sonata Hybrids will not take place until the NHTSA has resolved the petition but if denied, the automaker will have to go through with the fix.

Source: NHTSA

“The Accent, Sonata and Tucson all deliver advanced technology, design and fuel economy while continuing to exceed customer expectations in value, performance and safety,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America.  The Accent earned a spot on the list for its combination of efficiency, safety and value.  The Sonata, with numerous awards already, has earned innovative new features such as Blue Link and seven inch touchscreen navigation system for 2012.  With up to 32 mpg on the highway, the compact Tuscon is a SUV that can haul for miles on end without constant fill ups. 

“We appreciate the fact that Hyundai has made a significant contribution to improving the market choices for the American car buyer,” said Jack Gillis.

Source: Hyundai

Each year, the product review experts at J.D. Power and Associates survey original owners of three year old vehicles to measure the issues had within the previous 12 months.  The poll covers 202 issues that could be had on every aspect of the vehicle so that any little “quirk” can be recorded.  In 2009, the Genesis Sedan was completely new and usually, all-new components need a few years before they get settled in.  Strangely enough, the rear drive, high-output but inexpensive luxury cruiser hit an instant home run and since then, things have only gotten better.  Take the 2012 model year for instance; once you realize that 429 horsepower can be matched with serene leather wrapped comfort for under $50 grand, the car’s awards list seems that much more just.    “Our goal is to design and build cars that meet and exceed consumers’ expectations not only off the showroom floor, but through the duration of their ownership experience. Earning Hyundai’s first-ever top 10 finish in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study demonstrates that our efforts are paying dividends,” said Erwin Raphael, director of engineering and quality, Hyundai Motor America.

Source: Hyundai